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Professional Umpires in Amateur Sports
It is interesting to see many umpires cringe at those who say they officiate for the money as their primary or only reason. I don't think this is a reason why some officials are ragged in apperance or poor on rules knowledge. Pride and fairness are values that are part of who we are as people not as umpires. I spent 17 years as an EMT with my volunteer ambulance corps. In the city of New York we also have paid EMT's and Paramedics who are employed by the NYC Fire Dept. If you have a heart attack or an accident on one of our roads you're looking for someone who is qualified. I was neither better nor worse than my paid peers just because I was a volunteer.
Tim C is hanging them up after 33 years. I wish him well as change is often difficult. Maybe he'll be back after a short sabbatical. 51 is still pretty young. I agree with him that respect for authority has deteriorated over that span. I'm not sure what the solution is but maybe it reflects even a greater need for umpires, coaches, teachers, and other role models who command respect by the way the carry themselves and by their own value systems. Jim/NY
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